Distance: 2.9 km (1.5 DOC hours) - Tramping track - Easy-moderate terrain
Altitude: 1249m to 1419m. Gain: 234m. Loss: 164m . Gradient: 8 deg (Gentle)
Skills: Alpine weather (2/7) Winter - Snow/ice underfoot (2/7)

Tramping track (4/9)
Cut, marked tramping track: natural, rough ground surface

Primary, mapped (1/5)
Formal route, on maps, principal access to hut or along range / catchment

Gentle (difficulty: 2/5)
Gentle slopes

Easy-moderate (difficulty: 2/5)
Tussock / river-gravel / open bush / cut track

Alpine weather (difficulty: 2/7)
Tramp on open tops, exposed to alpine weather

None (difficulty: 1/6)
No unbridged river crossings

Snow/ice underfoot (difficulty: 2/7)
Snow/ice likely on track

From Otutu Hut head north along the beech-clad ridge dropping into a saddle via a beautifully cut & well-marked track, adorned with thick layers of moss either side of the track. The beautiful track gradually climbs to the scrubby open poled tops, climbing to an un-named high point (SE of pt 1411) where there are magnificent views west to Ruapehu & Ngauruhoe. The route swings east, dropping to the bush edge & into another bush saddle SW of pt. 1373 where a stamped metal sign post indicates Rocks Ahead Hut, Manson Hut & Manson Biv. No mention of Ngaawapurua Hut to the north, accessed via private Maori Land which permission is needed to cross.

Note: Described in the reverse direction to your journey

From the track junction at pt1373 the cut, marked track to Otutu Hut drops through beech forest to a saddle, before climbing onto tops of scrubby subalpine plants. The tops route is poled & clear on the ground. Swinging south, it drops back into the beech for another saddle before emerging into a second clearing at Otutu Hut.